BLS report shows top injury type, body parts affected in 2014

On December 2, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported on the type of injury or illness and body parts affected by nonfatal injuries and illnesses in 2014.

The agency found that sprains, strains, or tears were the leading injury or illness in private industry and state and local government in 2014. There were 420,870 of these cases requiring days away from work to recuperate. The incidence rate was 38.9 cases per 10,000 full-time workers, down from 40.2 in 2013. Workers who suffered sprains, strains, or tears needed a median of 10 days away from work, compared to 9 days for all types of injuries or illnesses.

BLS also reported on the leading injuries and illnesses by part of body in private industry and state and local government in 2014. It found that upper extremities affected by an injury or illness had 346,170 cases, or 32 cases per 10,000 full-time workers. Hands accounted for 40 percent of those cases, the most among upper extremities. Shoulder injuries and illnesses caused workers to miss a median of 26 days of work, more than any other body part.